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Women of Pinoy Rock come together

SIX women in Pinoy Rock are coming together for a one-night concert titled TANAW on Nov. 26 at The Theatre at Solaire.

TANAW will feature five Filipino singer-songwriters who used to be the lead vocalists of top local bands: Acel Bisa, the former vocalist of Moonstar88; Aia de Leon who was the lead vocalist and guitarist of Imago; Barbie Almalbis, who was the lead vocalist of Hungry Young Poets and Barbie’s Cradle; and Kitchie Nadal and Lougee Basabas, both of whom were lead vocalists of the band Mojofly — Ms. Nadal from 1998 to 2003, and Ms. Basabas from 2003 to 2007, then again from 2015 to the present. Also performing is Hannah Romawac of sessiOnroad. The concert marks the first time that the six will be performing together in a concert.

The idea for the concert started over lunch. The singers were catching up for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic lockdowns.

“It’s been a while since we last saw each other in gigs,” Ms. De Leon said during a press conference at The Theater at Solaire in Parañaque City. “We were just talking about music and life. And we posted a photo of [the lunch] online,” Ms. Almalbis added.

The lunch opened the opportunity to collaborate and perform in a concert.

The show’s title, TANAW, the musicians said, has a dual meaning — both reminiscing and looking ahead.

“At this stage in our careers, ang dami na naming pinagdaan at ang dami ng to be grateful for (we have been through a lot and there are many things to be grateful for),” Ms. Almalbis said of the concert’s title.

Meanwhile, Kitchie Nadal, who is in Spain, will be coming home in time for the concert.

“The girls have been very encouraging. They know it will not be very easy for me to say ‘yes’ since I’ll be coming all the way from Spain. However, it would be a good time for me to break a routine and be with people who are like-minded and I could really learn from,” Ms. Nadal said in a video shown at the press conference, adding that the audience is to expect “nostalgic songs and a new single.”

It is never a bore to play the same song over again, said the singers.

“It’s still always so much fun and there is always room to play with the arrangement,” Ms. Almalbis said. To which Hannah Romawac added: “You never play it the same way.”

The event is produced by GNN Entertainment and co-presented by The Theatre at Solaire. Tickets to TANAW are available via TicketWorld (https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph/shows/Show.aspx?sh=TANAW22). Ticket prices range from P1,300 to P4,600. — Michelle Anne P. Soliman

AREIT records 69% profit growth to P814M

AYALA-LED AREIT, Inc. reported a 69.2% rise in third-quarter net income to P814.21 million due to higher contributions from its asset infusions last year.

In a stock exchange disclosure on Thursday, the real estate investment trust (REIT) said revenues during the quarter grew 69.3% to P1.19 billion.

Rental income was the biggest contributor with P896.57 million, up by 69.7% from P528.46 million.

During the nine-month period, AREIT’s net income climbed by 35.8% to P2.4 billion, which it attributed to contributions from assets acquired in 2021.

Its revenues from January to September increased by 67.9% to P3.56 billion. The company’s rental income surged 65.4% to P2.64 billion.

AREIT said that as of September, its portfolio’s average occupancy rate was 97%, while the rental collection rate was at 98%.

In June, the company filed a deed of exchange for the infusion of Ayala Land, Inc.’s six Cebu-based office buildings.

“It is awaiting regulatory approvals for this second property-for-share swap with its sponsor — [Ayala Land], within the year,” the company said.

If realized, the move will increase AREIT’s total gross leasable area to 673,000 square meters and its assets under management to P64 billion.

“[This is] a 113% increase since its initial public offering with a target to double in size within two years,” the company said.

On the stock exchange on Thursday, shares in AREIT climbed by 10 centavos or 0.32% to P31.80 apiece. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Kurt Cobain’s smashed guitar, Lennon’s glasses hit auction block

NIRVANA lead vocalist Kurt Cobain’s smashed guitar — JULIENSAUCTIONS.COM

NEW YORK — A Kurt Cobain smashed guitar is expected to fetch top dollar at Julien’s Auction’s annual Icons & Idols: Rock ‘N’ Roll Auction in New York.

The taped-up instrument is considered by some a piece of rock and roll history and estimated to be worth $200,000 to $400,000.

“This guitar was actually smashed in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, 1989,” said executive director of Julien’s Auctions, Martin Nolan. “He’s actually written on the guitar.”

Over 1,500 lots are included that features items from Beyonce, Prince, and Carrie Underwood.

Glasses worn by John Lennon are estimated to sell for over $80,000.

“You sort of identified John Lennon as wearing those type of round granny glasses, as he called them himself. And their photo match to a photograph taken by Ian McKellen for the book The Lives of John Lennon — it comes with that book as well.”

Mr. Nolan said since the pandemic there has been a surge in people wanting to own iconic items.

“People are sort of taking their money out of sort of intangible items or even real estate items that they have in their investment portfolio and choosing to own something cool, something that they can relate to.”

The sale will take place live at the Hard Rock Café in New York City’s Times Square and online from Nov. 11-13. — Reuters

Maersk to increase warehousing footprint in PHL  

SHIPPING FIRM A.P. Moller-Maersk is set to expand its warehousing footprint in the Philippines after the groundbreaking of a new warehouse in Laguna.

The company said in a statement on Thursday that the construction of its new 100,000-square-meter warehouse in Calamba is expected to be finished by the end of 2023.

According to Maersk, the facility will be operated by its newly created omnichannel-fulfillment team after it acquired contract logistics firm LF Logistics.

“The total area is equivalent to almost three times of LF Logistics’ current multi-service distribution center in the province of Rizal and will enhance the overall warehouse and distribution footprint further in the Philippines,” the firm said.

Maersk said that the facility will have a 75,000-pallet storage capacity with distribution center technologies such as pallet shuttles, automated sortation, put-to-light, yard management systems, and track-and-trace capabilities.

The firm added that the facility is primed to meet the needs of retail, pharmaceutical, and e-commerce customers.

“The facility will integrate LF Logistics’ key service offerings into Maersk’s product portfolios, including value-added services, distribution services, order management, and end-to-end e-commerce,” it added.

Maersk said that the build-to-specification agreement has been signed with local developer Precos, Inc., which is a unit of Solid Group, Inc., guaranteeing a 15-year lease.

“Maersk’s strategic ambition is to connect and simplify our customers’ supply chains. With combining LF Logistics’ strength in the Philippines and strong expertise in our omnichannel-fulfillment operations, we will extend the scope of our logistics offerings closer to the end-consumers. Expanding the warehousing footprint and omnichannel-fulfillment competence is crucial to our strategic growth,” Maersk Indonesia and Philippines Area Managing Director Erry Hardianto said.

With the acquisition of LF Logistics, Maersk currently operates 96 warehouses in the Philippines.

“Building this mega facility in South Luzon enables us to provide a more agile, resilient, and more flexible end-to-end supply chain, complementing the infrastructure and network we have built and sustained over the past two decades in the Philippines. This project will also help create 800 job opportunities for the surrounding communities, aligned with our corporate social responsibility,” LF Logistics Senior Vice President and Head of Country and Business Development Jocelyn O. Ramos said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Super skills on show for Guinness World Records Day

LONDON — Feats ranging from the most alternating single-arm handstands in one minute to solving the most rotating puzzle cubes while skateboarding were celebrated in this year’s Guinness World Records Day on Nov. 10.

With the theme of “Super Skills,” the 19th annual event has prompted people across continents to set new milestones for what is humanly possible.

While skateboarding around a skateboard park, British student and speedcubing champion George Scholey solved 500 rotating puzzle cubes handed to him by helpers. In Japan, Junji Nakasone rolled three basketballs from one outstretched arm to the other across his chest 56 times.

“Guinness World Records Day is a global celebration of the superlative so it’s a chance for everyone around the world to have a go at getting their name in the famous Guinness World Records book,” said Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records.

“We’ve all got skills, we’ve all got party tricks but are they good enough to make it into the Guinness World Records book. Are they extreme enough? We see hundreds of attempts in lots of different countries.”

In Dubai, Ammar Ahmed Alkhudhiri and Abdulla Saeed Alhattawi combined two skills. One performed a wheelie on a quad bike, with the front wheel off the ground as the other sat on top bouncing a football on one foot 70 times.

Alkhudhiri also did 87 consecutive football touches in 30 seconds while hanging from a bar with one hand.

Nicolas Montes de Oca from Mexico scored three titles: most single-arm handstands in one minute (male) with 23 repetitions, most handstands in one minute (male), totaling 41 repetitions, and most alternating single-arm handstands in one minute, with 32 repetitions.

In Orlando, Florida, Dinesh Sunar did 21 backward somersaults while blindfolded in one minute.

In China, cyclist Zhang Jing Kun took the title of most bunny hops to rear onto a bar in one minute, springing over the hurdle 14 times on his bike. — Reuters

Ralph Fiennes cooks up culinary heaven and hell in The Menu

LONDON — Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult get served a meal to die for in The Menu, a satirical thriller set in the world of fine dining.

The Queen’s Gambit and X-Men stars play Margot and Tyler, a young couple who gets whisked a way to a remote private island hosting the exclusive gastronomic establishment Hawthorne and its many vegetable patches, farm animals, beehives, and live-in staff dormitories.

The two are part of a select group of 12 who have paid a small fortune to dine at the restaurant run by the celebrated American chef Julian Slowik (Ralph Fiennes).

Unbeknownst to his wealthy guests, Mr. Slowik and his team of robot-like professionals have planned a one-off menu with some unexpected ingredients especially for them. But the arrival of Margot seems to sour Mr. Slowik’s concoction.

The movie pokes fun at its moneyed guests, their ostentatious fine dining experience and the celebrity chef phenomenon, all of which have driven Mr. Slowik to despair and disillusionment.

“This story for me is about privilege for privileges’ sake or pretentiousness for pretentiousness’ sake,” Ms. Taylor-Joy told Reuters at the film’s London premiere on Wednesday.

“If you’re not enjoying yourself and if you’re not enjoying life, then what are you really doing? I think a lot of these characters are insatiable and it’s definitely a dark satire on that topic.”

The film’s director, Mark Mylod, of Succession and Game of Thrones fame, brought in top chefs to ensure authenticity.

“We worked with Dominique Crenn, she has three Michelin stars and is literally a world-class chef… we worked with David Gelp, who was the creator of Chef’s Table and came in to do some great food porn shots for us,” he said.

In addition, Ms. Crenn and Mr. Gelp inspired some of the cast to get cooking, too.

“I wasn’t really a foodie before this. I got more into it having watched those things and learnt more about it. And when I’m not shooting, I do like to cook and I’ve just recently got into baking a little bit,” said Mr. Hoult.

The Menu, which also stars John Leguizamo as a Hollywood star of yesteryear, Janet McTeer as a snobby food critic, and Hong Chau as the restaurant’s unwavering maitre d’, is out in cinemas globally from Nov. 17. — Reuters

Cebu Air losses shrink to P2.5B

CEBU PACIFIC

CEBU AIR, Inc. (CEB), the listed operator of budget carrier Cebu Pacific, announced on Thursday that it managed to cut its attributable net loss for the third quarter of the year to P2.54 billion from a loss of P8.20 billion in the same period last year.

The company’s revenues for the quarter reached P16.85 billion, surging from P3.25 billion previously.

This was “propelled by a strong recovery across its business segments,” the company said in an e-mailed statement.

Expenses increased 111.6% to P19.89 billion from P9.4 billion in the same period last year.

“Despite being a lean season, the continuous easing of travel requirements encouraged strong travel demand. For the third quarter, CEB has flown over four million passengers, a 489% increase versus third-quarter last year,” the company said.

Cebu Pacific’s seat load factor rose to 74% from 57.5% last year. “This consequently resulted in the growth of passenger and ancillary businesses by 724% and 725% year on year, respectively,” Cebu Air noted,

The airline’s cargo business posted revenue of at least P2 billion, 41% higher than last year. It flew over 30,300 flights during the quarter or 318% more than the same quarter last year.

“We are encouraged by some notable improvements in our numbers amidst the ongoing challenges related to fuel and foreign exchange rates. We remain cautiously optimistic that through our ongoing initiatives, coupled with a sustained increase in passenger traffic, we will soon see better days ahead,” said Mark Julius V. Cezar, chief financial officer at Cebu Pacific.

For the January-to-September period, the company reduced its attributable net loss to P12.05 billion from a loss of P21.1 billion previously. Revenues for the period jumped to P37.53 billion from P9.15 billion in 2021.

Expenses for the nine-month period rose 79.1% to P48.73 billion from P27.99 billion last year. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Stuff to do (11/11/22)

‘Threads & Strokes’ exhibit at Newport World Resorts

FASHION pushes the boundaries of art at the “Threads and Strokes Avant-Garde Spectacle” of Newport World Resorts, on view until Nov. 13 at The Plaza 2F Newport Mall. Filipino designers showcase their show-stopping pieces in the Deck the Runway Fashion Show on Nov. 11 at 5 p.m. The unconventional fashion display highlights some of the most intricate works of up-and-coming designers as they play with threads and strokes of colors and textures to push their creations over the top. There is Ehrran Montoya’s Metamorphosis, Mark Lixcel Lantican’s Born to Die, Maricris Dela Peña-Slodysco’s Soft Serving in Paradise, Carl Arcusa’s Love after Death, MC Mikael Castillo’s Kaeru, Job Dacon’s Victorian Mourning Gown, and more eye-popping creations. For more information on ‘Threads and Strokes’ at Newport World Resorts Mall, visit www.newportworldresorts.com and follow @newportworldresorts and @newportmall on Facebook and Instagram, and @nwresorts on Twitter.

GMA Network’s Noel Bazaar returns

THIS YEAR, GMA Network’s Noel Bazaar — where Christmas shoppers get to shop for a cause and bring home pre-loved celebrity items at affordable prices — returns beginning Nov. 11 and every succeeding Friday of Novermer. GMA affiliated artists are set to donate and serve as celebrity ambassadors in raising funds for Noel Bazaar’s partner beneficiaries, including the GMA Kapuso Foundation and the Inquirer Foundation. Catch Rhian Ramos at Okada Manila on Nov. 11, Jasmine Curtis at The Filinvest Tent, Alabang on Nov. 18, and Max Collins, and Michelle Dee at the World Trade Center on Nov. 25. Shoppers can find second-hand items at the GMA Celebrity Ukay-Ukay and Celebrity Auction at Okada Manila and The World Trade Center with items donated by artists like Bea Alonzo, Gabbi Garcia, Julie Anne San Jose, Rufa Mae Quinto, Christian Bautista, Patricia Tumulak, Mark Herras, and Manolo Pedrosa. Also donating pre-loved items are GMA News and Public Affairs personalities. The Noel Bazaar 2022 series is presented in partnership with GMA Network, the Inquirer Group of Companies, UnionBank, and Okada Manila.

Rudolf Golez, Noam Zur in PPO concert

PIANIST Rudolf P. Golez will be the featured soloist of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) season concert on Nov. 11, 8 p.m., at the Metropolitan Theater of Manila. For the concert, Mr. Golez will perform George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Other works to be featured in the concert are Gioachino Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, Nicanor Abelardo’s Cinderella Overture, and Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. Mr. Golez concertizes mainly in the Philippines and the United States and looks forward to gain exposure in the concert stage of the capitals in Europe even as he carries out his responsibilities as Dean of the Liceo Conservatory of Music in Cagayan de Oro. He also endeavors to record his life’s repertoire in a CD and may include instructional material for his students. In 2021, he finished his Doctoral program in piano performance at the Philippine Women’s University. The concert is the third offering in the PPO’s 38th concert season entitled Metamorphosis and continues the PPO search for its new Music Director. Metamorphosis features eight conductors, five of whom are shortlisted for the Music Director position. Guest conductor Noam Zur takes the helm of the PPO for this concert. Since 2017, he was the principal conductor and artistic director of the State Symphony Orchestra of Salta, Argentina. He has over 20 years of professional and conducting experience during which he developed an expansive repertoire in opera, ballet and symphony. He is also a composer and arranger, having recorded his own works in Funkhausorchester des WDR Köln in 2016 which he conducted as well. For more information, visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) and follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest updates.

Leonor Will Never Die screenings in Trinoma

MARTIKA Escobar’s film Leonor Will Never Die will screen on Sundays of November at Trinoma Cinema 5 in Quezon City. The movie won the Sundance Film Festival 2022 Special Jury Prize Award and Toronto International Film Festival 2022 Amplify Voices Award. The film stars Sheila Franciso who plays a retired action film scriptwriter who, after hitting her head with a television, falls into a coma and dreams of starring in her unfinished script. The block screenings are on Nov. 13, Nov. 20, and Nov. 27 at 3 p.m. Tickets are priced at P300. A portion of the proceeds will go to the funds needed for succeeding screenings. Tickets are available at the entrance of Cinema 5, and through this link: https://tinyurl.com/SundanceAnniv. Tote bags, stickers, and postcard merchandise will also be available. The film is now available for private show buying, exclusive booking at Sine Pop, and school screenings. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/leonorwillneverdie.

2022 Hybrid National Trade Fair

THE 2022 Hybrid National Trade Fair returns on Nov. 16 to 20 at the SM Megamall Megatrade Halls 1 to 3. Themed “Go Green! Go Local!,” the 2022 Hybrid National Trade Fair advocates for sustainability and inclusivity by featuring green, sustainable, and eco-friendly products as well as artisanal and heritage crafts. Exhibitors from the country’s 16 regions were carefully selected to showcase a rich selection of indigenous products and raw materials, handcrafted and handwoven products, furniture and home decor made from sustainable materials, unique and eco-friendly packaging materials, as well as health and wellness products. There will also be a selection of fresh produce, processed food and beverages, and native delicacies, which are very popular gift options. Everyone is still expected to wear a mask at all times and to maintain social distancing. All exhibitors and their staff are fully vaccinated and observe safety protocols. The five-day event is organized by the Department of Trade and Industry – Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion (DTI-BDTP) in partnership with the DTI Regional Operations Group, the Design Center of the Philippines, and the National Bamboo Industry Cluster.

Security Bank raises P14.6B from bond offering

BW FILE PHOTO
SECURITY Bank Corp. raised P14.6 billion from its bond offering, almost five times as much as its initial P3-billion program. — BW FILE PHOTO

SECURITY BANK CORP. raised P14.6 billion from its offering of fixed-rate bonds, more than its initial P3-billion program, following strong demand from investors.

The bank said in a disclosure to the stock exchange that the bonds maturing in 2024 were successfully issued and listed on the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. on Thursday.

“Security Bank raised P14.6-billion worth of bonds at 5.3% per annum, with a tenor of 1.5 years. Due to strong demand for the bonds, the bank exercised its oversubscription option and accepted offers above its minimum P3-billion issue size,” the lender said.

“Security Bank offered the bonds to support its lending activities and expand its funding base,” it added.

Security Bank Executive Vice-President and Financial Markets Segment Head Raul Martin A. Pedro said the successful issuance and oversubscription is testament to investor confidence in the lender.

The bonds were issued out of Security Bank’s P100-billion peso bond and commercial paper program.

The papers were offered at a minimum investment of P1 million and increments of P100,000 thereafter.

The lender tapped Philippine Commercial Capital, Inc. (PCCI) to be the sole bookrunner for the issuance.

The joint lead arrangers and selling agents for the transaction were PCCI and SB Capital Investment Corp.

In July, Security Bank also raised P16 billion from 1.5-year corporate bonds, more than the original plan of P1 billion, as the offer was likewise oversubscribed. The papers were also part of the lender’s P100-billion peso bond and commercial paper program.

Security Bank recorded a higher net income in the second quarter of 2022 on the improved performance of its core businesses and lower credit provisions.

It booked an attributable net income of P3.52 billion in April-June, up by 139.4% from the P1.47 billion in the same period in 2021.

This brought its attributable net profit for the first half to P6.25 billion, more than double the P3.12 billion seen in the comparable year-ago period.

Security Bank was the country’s ninth-largest lender in terms of assets with P796.78 billion and seventh in terms of capital with P123.41 billion as of end-June, based on Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas data.

Its shares closed at P87.95 apiece on Thursday, down by 1.07% or 95 centavos from the previous finish. — K.B. Ta-asan

Solid Group to acquire electronics retailer

Solid Group, Inc.’s board of directors has approved a plan to acquire Avid Sales Corp. for P100.2 million, the firm said on Thursday.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, the company said the acquisition “will expand the current distribution business segment of Solid Group.”

The acquisition price is less than 10% of Solid Group’s total consolidated assets and is less than its threshold amount for material related-party transactions.

According to its website, Avid Sales retails and markets audio and video electronics. It is also into information technology products related to audio and video services. It has a total of 26 retail stores mostly in Metro Manila malls.

Avid Sales is a privately held company of the Lim family, also the majority stockholder of Solid Group.

In its disclosure, the company said that the acquisition will be submitted for ratification at its next stockholders’ meeting, which is scheduled on the last Thursday of June each year. Solid Group, an investment holding company, has other electronics-related subsidiaries including SolidService Electronics Corp., My Solid Technologies & Devices Corp., and Omni Solid Services, Inc.

On the stock market on Thursday, shares in Solid Group added two centavos or 2.47% to 83 centavos each. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Entertainment News (11/11/22)

Cannes films to show at QCinema 2022

IN LINE with its goal to bring world cinema to the Philippines, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) will screen Cannes Film Festival official selection titles at the QCinema International Film Festival, which will run from Nov. 18 to 25. Fresh from this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Return to Seoul by Davy Chou and Corsage by Marie Kreutzer, both from the Un Certain Regard section, will be part of the 10th edition of QCinema under the festival’s main competition section, Asian Next Wave, and in the Screen International section, respectively. Corsage is about the last years of Empress Elisabeth “Sisi” of Austria, played by Vicky Krieps who bagged the Un Certain Regard award for Best Performance. Empress Sissi is idolized for her beauty and renowned for inspiring fashion trends. But in 1877, as she celebrated her 40th birthday, she must fight to maintain her public image by lacing her corset tighter and tighter. Cannes 2019 Best Screenplay winner and Golden Globe nominee, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, a French film by Celine Sciamma, is also showing under QCinema’s Rainbow QC section and is being co-presented by the French Film Festival and the QCinema LGBTQIA+ Program. The film also won the Queer Palm at Cannes, making it the first film directed by a woman to win the award. Other international films being brought in by the FDCP for the festival are  Celine Sciamma’s  Petite Maman; Joachim Trier’s Oscar-nominated (Best International Feature and Best Screenplay) film The Worst Person in the World where actress Renate Reinsve won Best Actress in Cannes 2021; 2021 Cannes Un Certain Regard film Women Do Cry, by Vesela Kazakova and Mina Mileva; and  Léonor Serraille’s Mother and Son, nominated for Cannes’s Palme d’Or under the In Competition section.  QCinema screenings will be held at Gateway, Trinoma, Powerplant, Cinema 76, and SM North EDSA. Online screening, done in partnership with VivaMax, will be from Nov. 22 to 26. Ticket prices for theatrical screenings are P300 while online tickets are P299. For details, visit qcinema.ph and the festival’s social media accounts — www.facebook.com/QCinemaPH, twitter.com/QCinemaPH, and www.instagram.com/qcinemaph.

Int’l Film Industry Conference next week

THE 6th EDITION of the International Film Industry Conference (IFIC), an international platform hosted by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and geared towards bringing together international and local industry professionals to discuss the latest trends, developments, and cooperation opportunities, will be held in a hybrid format from Nov. 18 to 20 at Novotel Manila Araneta Center in Quezon City and online via Zoom and Facebook. This year’s IFIC, done in partnership with QCinema International Film Festival and Full Circle Lab – Philippines, will feature six free public sessions, three masterclasses, and a workshop series. The public sessions will be on documentary filmmaking, global trends on film distribution and exhibition, incentives and grants for Filipino filmmakers, and funding opportunities. They will include a roundtable discussion with the ASEAN-Republic of Korea film commissions and agencies on accessing global opportunities for the Southeast Asian Film Industry and a session on international co-production in Asia. The masterclasses are recommended for film industry professionals and enthusiasts. The topics are co-production with other countries, models of film distribution, and marketing films in the global market. Registration fee for one masterclass is P1,000, while a package of all three masterclasses is P2,500. The workshop series on dossier-making and pitching is exclusive to the FDCP’s selected CreatePH grantees. Those interested in the free public sessions and masterclasses for both online and onsite events must register at the IFIC website (fdcp.ph/ific) to secure a slot. Registration is open until Nov. 14. For more information and updates on IFIC 2022, visit their official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/IFICPHofficial. 

Boyce Avenue coming to PHL in February

FLORIDA-based band Boyce Avenue is returning to the Philippines for Valentine’s week. They will perform on Feb. 11 at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, on Feb. 12 at the Waterfront Hotel Ballroom in Cebu, and on Feb. 14 at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City. Joining them are OPM hitmakers Adie, Nobita, and (Manila show only) The Juans. The band frequently tours North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and visits new countries every year. Tickets go on sale on Nov. 19 (10 a.m.) in Manila via TicketNet.com.ph and TicketNet outlets, and via SMTickets.com and SM Ticket outlets in Cebu and Davao.

SKYcable offers FIFA World Cup access

SPORTS fans can enjoy a variety of sports and action programs on SKYcable’s HD Plans and SKY Fiber’s Unli Broadband + HD Cable TV Plans this November. Football fans interested in watching the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 can tune in to the live matches, replays, and special features on World Cup TV (WCTV) from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18 via SKY Pay-Per-View. SKY subscribers can purchase the Regular All Access Pass for P1,999 until Nov. 28. E-sports shows are available every Wednesday and Thursday at 10 p.m. on Techstorm. Catch FIFA gaming streamers play for a spot in the G2 Esports squad in Making the Squad: FIFA Edition, and witness the pros battle it out in Esports Championship East Asia – Pro Evolution Soccer. Subscribe to SKYcable’s HD Plans for as low as P500 per month or SKY Fiber’s Unli Broadband + HD Cable TV Plans for as low as P1,699 a month. Get an added treat of up to P400 free Jollibee e-GCs until Dec. 31 when subscribing online to a SKY Fiber Unli Broadband + HD Cable TV Plan via the official website (mysky.com.ph/skyfiber) or SKY’s 24/7 assistant KYLA on the website, Viber, or Messenger.   

Drag Race PH runner-up Marina Summers releases single

FILIPINA drag artist and Drag Race Philippines first runner-up Marina Summers has released her debut single under Tarsier Records entitled “Divine.” The dance-pop anthem celebrates the queer community and promotes taking ownership of one’s individuality while playing around with the summer theme and heavenly references. It’s a mix of dancehall and pop sounds with Latin guitar. Tarsier Records label head Moophs produced the track while Marina Summers wrote the lyrics and melody. Ms. Summers is one of the newest additions to Tarsier Records’ roster of artists. She performs regularly at Nectar Nightclub and is one of the founders of Drag Playhouse PH. “Divine” is available on all digital platforms and watching its music video on YouTube.

Julie Anne San Jose, Rayver Cruz hold concert

JULIE Anne San Jose and Rayver Cruz will tell the story of the “JulieVer” journey from friends to lovers in The JulieVerse Concert on Nov. 26, 8 p.m. at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. The concert’s performances will focus on the power of strong partnerships, under the theme of “twin flames” and mirror souls. The show will also feature Mavy Legaspi and Kyline Alcantara. For tickets, visit https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph/.

Wallows make QC stop on Asian tour

AMERICAN alternative rock band Wallows has announced that they will be performing in the Philippines as part of their Tell Me That It’s Over tour Asia 2023. The show in Manila will take place on Feb. 15 at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City. Promoted by AEG Presents Asia and Ovation Productions, tickets to Wallows’s Tell Me That It’s Over Tour Asia 2023 Manila are priced at P3,550 and will go on sale on Nov. 11, 10 a.m. via ovationtickets.com and ticketnet.com.ph. The band, based in Los Angeles, is composed of Dylan Minnette, Braeden Lemasters, and Cole Preston. It began releasing songs independently in April 2017, with their first single, “Pleaser,” reaching number two on the Spotify Global Viral 50 chart. In 2018, Wallows signed with Atlantic Records and released their major label debut EP, Spring, produced by John Congleton. The band released their debut studio album, Nothing Happens, in 2019. It was followed by their 2020 EP, Remote.

Air Supply returns to Manila

AUSTRALIAN rock duo Air Supply returns for a two-night concert at Newport World Resorts on December 15 and 16. Graham Russel and Russel Hitchcock are famous for hits such as “Every Woman in the World,” “All Out of Love,” and “Just Another Woman,”. Tickets are still available at all TicketWorld and SM Tickets outlets:  P11,000 (PLATINUM) P10,000 (SVIP), P9,000 (VIP), P7,500 (GOLD), P5,000 (SILVER), and P2,500 (BRONZE). For inquiries, contact the Newport World Resorts National Sales Team via Archli Enriquez at 0917 823 9602, Kenneth Navoa at 0917 807 9387, and Jefferson Federizo at 0917 658 9378, or call Ticketworld at 8891-9999, or SM Tickets at 8470-2222.

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery trailer released

IN THE follow up to Rian Johnson’s Knives Out, Detective Benoit Blanc travels to Greece to peel back the layers of a mystery when someone suddenly turns up dead. It involves a new cast of colorful suspects. The film stars Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline with Kate Hudson and Dave Bautista. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery premieres on Netflix Dec. 23. Watch the trailer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj5ibYSz8C0.

Guitarist Ivar Fojas at CCP Special Concert Series 2022

CLASSICAL guitarist Ivar Fojas will hold his solo concert as part of the Special Concert Series on November 16, Wednesday at the CCP Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (Black Box Theater) at 7:30 pm. Dr. Ivar-Nicholas Fojas currently works as a guitar professor at the Philippine Women’s University School of Music Graduate School. He mentors masters and doctoral-level guitar students and teaches Ph.D. courses in music and is an associate Professorial Lecturer 5 at De La Salle University Literature Department. He received a Fulbright scholarship to pursue his doctoral studies at the Bolton Guitar Studies Program at the University of Arizona in 2011. He was also a full scholar in his previous studies at the Philippine Women’s University and the University of the Philippines from 2008 to 2011. He taught at the University of the Philippines College of Music and later became a lecturer of humanities at the University of the Philippines Los Baños. Mr. Fojas conducted research on the lute works of J.S Bach that culminated in a lecture. This led him to baroque guitar performances with the Helios Ensemble and Arizona Baroque. He presented numerous solo recitals and performed guitar concertos in the Philippines by Mauro Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Federico Moreno-Torroba, and Joaquin Rodrigo with the Manila Symphony Orchestra and Peace Philharmonic Philippines, among other events. In 2020, Mr. Fojas was featured in an online concert under the Sunshine Classics concert series on October 16-31 together with the Kabataang Gitarista (KG); Fernando Sy-Changco III, David Tiongson, and Edel Mark Bitao who are a group of skilled public high school students. For more information about the event, please follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

BoJ’s Kuroda lays out framework for future exit from easy policy

BANK of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said discussions on their exit from easy monetary policy will focus on the pace of tightening and their balance sheet. — REUTERS

TOKYO — Bank of Japan (BoJ) Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said on Thursday any future debate on an exit from ultra-loose monetary policy will center on the pace of increase in short-term interest rates and adjustments in the bank’s massive balance sheet.

Mr. Kuroda brushed aside the chance of a near-term interest rate hike, stressing that the BoJ must continue to underpin a fragile economic recovery with loose monetary policy.

But he said the BoJ can debate an exit strategy from its massive stimulus and head toward policy normalization when achievement of its 2% inflation target, accompanied by wage increases, comes into sight.

“It’s premature to lay out details of an exit strategy. But one major factor of debate will be the pace of increase in the BoJ’s short-term policy rate, now set at -0.1%,” Mr. Kuroda told parliament.

“Another factor would be how to adjust its balance sheet,” he said, adding that most major central banks were moving ahead with rate hikes, before shifting toward a full-blown decrease in their balance sheets.

Mr. Kuroda held talks with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida later on Thursday, where the two discussed a range of issues including the weak yen, global economic risks and the need to drive up wages, the BoJ governor told reporters after the meeting.

“We discussed the need for the government and the BoJ to work closely together, and guide policy flexibly to structurally raise wages,” said Mr. Kuroda.

While Mr. Kuroda continues to stress the need to maintain easy policy, the central bank chief has been commenting more often in recent months on the chance of a future exit from ultra-low rates as rising raw material costs push inflation above his 2% target.

BoJ policy makers last month debated the need to examine the side-effects of prolonged easing and the impact of a future exit from easy conditions, a summary of opinions showed, a sign they are becoming more open to the possibility of an eventual withdrawal of Mr. Kuroda’s radical stimulus.

Mr. Kuroda said wages are likely to increase ahead as companies respond to intensifying labour shortages and recent rises in living costs, though the outlook remained highly uncertain.

“It’s extremely important for the BoJ to underpin the economy with ultra-loose monetary policy and ensure the necessary environment falls into place for companies to hike wages,” Mr. Kuroda said.

The BoJ remains an outlier in the global wave of monetary tightening to combat soaring inflation. The divergence between the BoJ’s dovish stance and the US Federal Reserve’s aggressive rate hikes has pummelled the yen to 32-year lows, exacerbating a jump in import prices and households’ cost of living.

Mr. Kuroda said recent “rapid and one-sided” yen declines were undesirable as they make it difficult for firms to set business plans.

But the BoJ would not directly target yen moves in guiding monetary policy, he said, and predicted that slowing US growth will eventually bring the dollar’s broad uptrend to a halt.

“I don’t think it’s necessarily correct to assume the dollar’s current single-handed rise will continue,” Mr. Kuroda said of the next year’s market outlook.

Under its yield curve control policy, the BoJ guides short-term rates at minus 0.1% and caps the 10-year bond yield around zero as part of efforts to sustainably achieve its 2% inflation target.

The BoJ chief also told parliament that he had no desire to get re-appointed for another term to head the central bank, after his current one ends in April next year. — Reuters

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